Multiple switch



Patented Nov. 2, 1948 2,452,74 a f MULTIPLE SWITCH Charles Frank Gomez,San Francisco, Calif.

Application October 20, 1947, Serial No. 780,958

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to improvements in switches and has particularreference to a multiple unit switch.

The principal object of this invention is to produce a switch whereinseveral switch contacts must be moved to a predetermined position beforea circuit can be completed.

A further object is to produce a device which is simple in construction,economical to manufacture, and one which may be readily inserted in anyelectrical circuit.

A further object is to produce a switch which will comply with all ofthe standards relative to electrical wiring, and one wherein it isimpossible for the user to receive an electrical shock.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame;

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line l-I of Fig.3;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my complete switch on a reduced scale;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on a line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing one of the contacts in H" position.

The ordinary electrical switch merely consists of a pair of contactsbetween which an electrical circuit is completed through the insertionof a metal bridging part between the contacts. Therefore, the simple actof placing a piece of metal between the contacts or of removing thesame, completes or breaks the electrical circuit. Due to the simplicityof this act, any person, authorized or unauthorized, can quicklymanipulate the switch. Applicant proposes to construct a switch whereina large number of contacts must be joined in order to complete thecircuit, and by positioning the metal bridging pieces in a differentmanner, only a person cognizant with the correct positioning of thebridging pieces could bring them to rest in the bridging position, sothat an electric circuit will be completed from one set of contacts tothe next through the entire switch mechanism.

Applicant has also devised a structure wherein it is impossible toobserve the position of the bridging contacts and, further, applicanthas provided a mechanism wherein the electrical circuit may beestablished entirely through the sense of touch.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the nuadjacent the shoulder 22.

meral 5 designates a casing, preferably made of an insulating material,and having a chamber 6 in which is positioned a shaft 1, which ismounted in bosses 8 and 9. This shaft 1 serves to support a plurality ofdisks ll, l2, l3, l4, l6, I1, and I8, which are also made of aninsulating material and each having a segment cut out of its periphery,so as to form notches l9 which terminate in shoulders H and 22.

Extending through each of the disks is a metallic bridging piece 23.This bridging piece may be positioned anywhere in the disks in a radialalignment and between the shoulders 2| and 22 so as to engage contacts24 and 26 mounted on the bottom of the casing 5 and between parallelstops 21.

The contact 26 is formed integral with the contact engaging the nextadjacent disk, as, for instance, the contact 28 engaging the disk H.

The final contact 29 is connected to one side of the line 3l.while thecontact 24 is connected to the opposite side of the line.

The result of this construction is that, when this switch is inserted ina circuit, the user may simply move any one or all of the disks byrubbing his hand over the top thereof, which will rotate the disks asufficient amount to move some of the bridging pieces out of engagementwith their respective contacts.

Assuming, now, that it is desired to establish a circuit, the user mustknow the particular disks that must be moved toward the right or theleft, as the case may be, as, for instance, assuming that the disk 18has its bridging piece 23 mounted Then this disk must be rotated in acounter-clockwise direction. Assuming that the disk I! has its bridgingpiece 23 adjacent the shoulder 2|. Then this disk must be turned in aclockwise direction, in order for the bridging piece to be positionedbetween its two contacts. Thus, by arranging the bridging piecesadjacent the diiferent shoulders, a combination may be set up which willbe very difficult for a person to find by merely rotating the variousparts, due to the large possible combination which exists. Also, it isobvious that the fact that, as the disks stop at certain points when theshoulders engage parallel stops 3'! that a person can equally welloperate the switch through feel, as in the dark.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and thatvarious changes relative to the material, size. shape and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of theinveneach of said disks having a shoulder formed tion or the scope ofthe subjoined claim. thereon for abutment against said stops.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: CHARLES FRANK GOMEZ. Amultiple switch, including a casing, a shaft positioned in said casing,a plurality of spaced 5 REFERENCES CITED contacts mounted in said casingand in parallel The following references are of record in the alignmentwith said shaft, parallel stops formed file of this patent; in saidcasing and on opposite sides of said aligned contacts, a plurality ofdisks mounted UNITED STATES PATENTS on said shaft, each of said diskshaving a bridg- 10 N mber N me D te ing piece formed therein, andcapable of being 1,185,690 Lawrence June 6, 1916 moved through therotation of said disks into 2,421,881 Heasty June 10, 1947 and out ofengagement with adjacent contacts,

